Do Not Forget Wood Burning Fireplace: 10 Reasons Why You No Longer Need It

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

The sound of a small outdoor wood stove-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to warm up the interior of a house. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.

A damper is an essential part of maintaining a good combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote.

Energy Efficiency

Small Outdoor Wood Stove fireplaces can be an attractive design, generating warm and inviting ambience. However, they aren't energy efficient and can create polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The type of wood used as well as the condition and quality of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can greatly affect the efficiency of the unit.

Firewood is the primary fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before using firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" to reduce its water content and increase its energy density. If the wood is too moist it will not burn as efficiently and could cause many creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take anywhere from months to a year or more, based on the climate and weather conditions.

small wood burning fireplaces burning fireplaces require a substantial investment of time and money to maintain them correctly. In addition to purchasing a huge amount of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and examine their fireplace to ensure that the chimney is free from obstructions and working properly, and that combustible materials are not stored in close proximity to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections can reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires.

The smoke from wood-burning fireplaces has fine particles that could cause lung damage and serious health issues including heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung diseases. It also releases carbon monoxide and other harmful air pollutants including volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that affect the earth's climate.

Effective EPA certified wood stoves utilize the second combustion method to reduce harmful emissions during firing. To optimize performance the stoves need the proper size chimney as well as installation of a flue lined. It is also essential to buy seasoned firewood and resist the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline, or butane torch to the fire, as they can add fuel to the fire and cause a risky situation. In addition homeowners should keep their firewood outside of the house to avoid termite infestation.

Cleanliness

Wood-burning fire places are an excellent alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful atmosphere. They can be used for primary or additional heating and could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors and toxins and can negatively affect air quality in the home.

When burning wood in a fireplace, it is important to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help to reduce the amount of creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood is processed in a heated oven or kiln to remove all moisture content. It is also a good idea to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to use.

Before lighting a flame, remove the ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before throwing them into the bin made of metal. With a dust pan or whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that has accumulated outside the fireplace.

Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from dust, soot and dirt that will be created. To keep your furniture safe from stains, you should clean the area and cover it with drop cloths. You will also want to wear a mask to keep from breathing in any soot or ash particles.

Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach, and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After you have scrubbed the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, clean it off with a clean, damp cloth.

Repeat the scrubbing and wiping process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, clean down any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for wood burning stoves.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces have a look that modern wood burning stoves propane or gas fire places cannot rival. The rustic look of wood fireplaces, the crackling sound of a burning fire and the warm feeling they give have stood the test of time. This is one feature that a lot of people seek when looking for fireplaces.

Wood-burning fireplaces are great to heat your home However, they also emit harmful gases. These include carbon monoxide and smoke that could harm your lungs. It is crucial to have a system that can remove these harmful substances, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. Many people prefer zero clearance designs for wood-burning fireplaces as they reduce the amount harmful gases in their home.

There are several ways to make your fireplace more attractive and unique. You can choose to use recycled wood to give it a more rustic feel or you could opt to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create an interesting and enjoyable feature in your home.

You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular color is black, which looks beautiful and is a perfect match for most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to open up the space and create a fresh airy feel. Gray is another option that is compatible with a variety of styles and is a contemporary trend. Some homeowners blend grey and beige together, also referred to as greige to celebrate this aesthetic and flexibility.

The best way to make a fireplace look less old fashioned or obtrusive is to paint it to match the walls around it. This can be done in a deep neutral that is on-trend, like grey, or a warm and earthy tone such as brick or terracotta red. The idea is to create a unified space that does not draw attention to itself, but rather blends in with the rest of the room. If you are unsure about which colour to go for, you can always ask a professional for advice.

Safety

If not maintained and operated in a safe manner, wood burning fireplaces can pose serious safety risks. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung disease. They also release harmful air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke contributes to climate change by release of carbon dioxide and methane.

The flue of a wood stove should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it's functioning properly. A clean, functioning flue will help to keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.

If the flue liner is getting worn out, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, which includes curtains, drapes and other flammable objects. It is recommended to set up cross-ventilation, which allows warm air through the home so that it doesn't flow back up the chimney.

Clean up the ashes regularly to keep them from blocking the airflow and building up too much. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, reducing combustion efficiency and resulting in more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a bucket made of metal or another non-combustible container.

Children should be kept away from the area around the fireplace especially when it has glass front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they can get burned. In addition, the different tools used to maintain a fireplace such as brushes, log lifers, pokers and shovels can be dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" should be established around the fireplace to avoid children coming in contact with it.

It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in your home, especially if there is a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can accumulate when the chimney and wood stove are not working properly, and is poisonous to breathe.

It is also essential to verify the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations may include rules governing nuisances and odors, "no-burn days" and limitations on visible emissions or the opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are usually focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to safeguard public health.